Tag Archives: book recommendations

You may recall that one time and the other time that I paired up and reviewed a recipe and a book in one sitting. Because nothing beats scarfing something down while flipping through some awesome pages. So let’s all take a break from analyzing the VMA awards and Googling what twerking is. Please.

Disclaimer: Depending on the food you’re eating, take care when turning pages. Loaning out a book with cheeto-fingerprint-corners can be awkward.

Yes, I love my soups and my novels… Almost equally. Not sure which one edges the other out, but in this case, it was pretty much a dead heat. I’m excited to share with you Junot Diaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Woa and a maybe-not-all-that-authentic-but-really-yummy Shrimp Gumbo. Let’s hit the books first.

Yes, this is when I was dueling books at the airport with a somewhat strange pairing.It totally worked though.

If you’re in the mood for a novel that is both substantial and engaging, here it is. Every family’s story is both a comedy and a tragedy, and every individual is influenced by their heritage in ways we often don’t understand. This highlights the balance in one family and the insight into what drives us from one generation to the next.

Sometimes with a determined grimness and sometimes with a smirking humor, Diaz baldly lays out historical backgrounds and cultural experiences as a foundation for characters that feel very real. It’s rare to find a book that blends modern experiences so comfortably with a sense of ancestry and deep-rooted ways. There is perseverance, fear, and destiny – Beli, Lola, and Oscar are always moving from something, towards something and through something at the same time.

With multi-perspective storytelling, it can easily feel jarred and confused; somehow this novel manages to avoid that. Yunior serves as an anchor while the books moves fluidly through several characters, stories, and time periods to create a more rounded understanding of the family as a whole. Get 1/3 of a way through the book, and you’re sunk into it – you’ll feel compelled to stay up late and finish.

Okaybees, let’s get to the food!

Yes, this took a little bit of time to make. Consider it an investment. This stuff is very customizable, delicious, filling, and even freezes awesomely. Try it asap with some brown rice (not only a healthy choice, but a little more substantial when paired with the goodness of gumbo) and some fresh-baked rolls. Wegman’s were responsible for ours, of course.

Check out the original source, and keep in mind how easily you can make it your own. I changed a few things up, myself…

Instead of being a seafood gumbo, mine was simply a shrimp one. Shrimp was a more affordable choice, and one everyone in our fam will eat a little more readily.

I skipped the green bell peppers – I don’t eat them.

I used vegetable stock instead of water/seafood stock. I keep vegetable bullion cubes in the house at all times since they are so useful.

I skipped the boiled ham, as two out of our four don’t eat meat (but do eat fish & seafood).

It has been a long minute since we have had a mood board up in here, and as I have been spending some time daydreaming about the day I can design a whole living room for myself and freely DIY/buy/magically procure everything I want for it, I thought maybe we could wistfully daydream together. And lately, I’ve been in a very mid-century modern mood.

In case you are curious or just a mega nerd, “Mid-Century modern is an architectural, interior, product and graphic design that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965.” – brought to you by Wikipedia.

My partner-in-all-things-life is very much into clean, new, modern design while I like to blend that pretty evenly with eclectic, vintage pieces. Mid-century and Danish modern design is one place I think we could meet in the middle, so I’ve found my eye catching on it more and more as inspiration.

Are some of the items above major-splurges? Yes. Obvi. My budget could not stretch to create this room, but a girl can dream! In reality, there are some steals linked up above too (like that almost-too-cool giclee print) and for the rest I would DIY or bargain-hunt to find similar looks.

Who loves cookies and humor about taxidermy? I’m estimating at least 6% of the population, that’s who. Doesn’t that pique your appetite? Let’s read and eat with my all-time-favorite-and-I’ve-tried-a-lot chocolate chip cookies (they are even healthified) and Jenny Lawson’s Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. Both are delicious.

The only real differences between the original recipe and my version are:

I used quick oats instead of rolled oats, because I had some and can never tell the difference.

The I use whole wheat flour as the recipe calls for, but I usually use whole wheat pastry flour, or sometimes “white whole wheat”. The pastry flour makes them much more light and delicate, crispy around the edges but still substantial. Mmmmm. It isn’t always easy to find at the grocery store, though.

I used a bunch of random types of chocolate to use up my stash and to change it up.

I TRIPLE the recipe. Go big or go home – I’m not playing games here.

The first step of the recipe calls for grinding the oats in a blender or food processor. Honestly, it’s prob not necessary to do if you don’t have one or don’t feel like it. Still, when I do I food process the oats into a course meal as shown in Exhibit A the picture above.

Did I mention I used a bunch of random chocolates? Yep. Different recipes call for different things, and I end up with bits of everything. Since I tripled the recipe I needed 3 cups of chocolate. This included milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, another brand of semi-sweets, and chopped up baker’s semi-sweet chocolate. The melted chunks in the cookies are always so nice from the chopped stuff… mmm.

If you make an obscene amount of cookie dough (I’m pretty self-aware) there are several methods for what to do with it. Sometimes, I just spend an afternoon baking them all, cool them all thoroughly, and then freeze them in freezer bags with the air sucked out of them. Other times, I freeze the dough.

You can see above my method for what to do with the dough when freezing it. I keep in the bowl what I want to bake that day, then portion the rest into pieces of saran wrap which I wrap tight around the dough until it looks like a tube, then twist the ends. The dough-tubes can now be placed inside a quart-sized freezer bag. Just stick them in the fridge to thaw the night before you want to cookie-it-up.

BTW, I usually use a plastic straw to suck the air out of the bags. It’s high tech.

Strange bed fellows?

Yes, the above picture was posted to Twitter in May, from an airport lounge where I was waiting on a flight to take me to a job interview. I got the job – so I guess I may owe it partially to Jenny Lawson… and Junot Diaz. Probably not sharing the salary, but a sincere thanks seems to be in order.

Travel is totally exhausting, for me. I always have a hard time staying focused and energized. Usually I’m not that person who is reading several books at once, but on an airplane I like to pick two and switch between them. A combination of one book that is intense/serious and one book that is hilarious/irreverent seems balanced and provides some perspective when you’re considering a 5 dollar bagel while breathing in recycled air. Try it out sometime.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

She is funny, and so is her book. So let’s just get that settled right at the start. Jenny Lawson is irreverent, charming, mildly concerning, and very entertaining. She makes your weird family feel at-least-normal-level-weird. Jenny somehow both self-deprecates and ego-inflates herself. It’s weird and sounds impossible, but makes for some well-rounded story-telling.

I’m not going to use the word “quirky” or say she is the “female David Sedaris” because everyone else has a million times. I will say it is just a good book, all comparisons aside. If you’re a fan of her blog (The Bloggess) you know how she works, and I honestly don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

If you aren’t a Lawsbian (the name given to her fans, though I’m not clear by who…) be honest with yourself before reading. If you like the idea of “edgy” but cringe at swear words or morbid dead-animal jokes, this is probably not your cup of tea. I don’t know why I keep talking about tea today either, let’s put that aside.

Loved the Let’s Pretend This Never Happened? Check our Laurie Notaro (my favorites are this one and this one). She has been a fav of mine for years, and while a little less morbid and a little more raunchy than Jenny Lawson – it’s good times, for sure.

It has been a Spring full of books, which is kind of surprisingly really. With everything else going on, I honestly can’t recall how I had the time to finish the books I have… a few airplane flights did contribute, though. Once again (remember last month?), I kept procrastinating writing up a review of a book until I had already read three more… so these are some condensed little reviews I thought I’d share.

Also, these books are kind of old news. Sometimes older released books are my favorite… because they are cheaper to buy. I seldom have $15 for a paperback, and can get all the copies I want of something from 10 years ago. Also, it’s “new to me” and I’m experiencing it for the first time, so there.

A lot of these books I get from my Mom who is often finishing a book when she visits, and hurries up so she can leave it for me to read. This woman is seriously generous with her books. Also, she warns me if there are “weird parts” before I read it… which is sweet, and usually halfway through the book I realize she is totally right. Love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

Okay, what I said a minute ago was a little misleading. I didn’t actually read this book all that recently… it was last Fall. I just now recalled that. Anyway, it says something that after all this time I find myself recalling points from The Happiness Project on an almost daily basis. The most common criticisms I have heard from colleagues and friends have had three main themes: She is a very privileged person and should be more grateful, the book is too specific to her own experience and life, and her suggestions are just common sense. Of course, I have responses.

Yes, she does seem very privileged and her life may be enviable in many ways, but it’s fair for anyone to want to be happier. A happy person does tend to be supportive of others and more giving. Just for the sake of her family, it isn’t wrong to be happier, particularly when taking her often self-evaluative approach on being a better person to others.

I agree the book is very specific to her own experience. She states that outright several times. It is true that the bulk of it either didn’t quite apply to my life or wasn’t within my financial or other means. Still, I felt like the percentage that did apply to me was more than worth reading the book. Regularly, I challenge myself to give my friends more time now, to be more generous, and to challenge myself to take each day to get just a little bit more meaningful thoughts and actions packed into it.

Honestly, almost no-one uses common sense. If no one wrote books filled with things that should be common sense, Barnes and Noble would be left with romance novels and most of the kid’s section. This is cold-hard truth, people. Sometimes we need a catchy looking book-cover to hook us in so someone can remind us of those common-sense things we should be doing.

The best lesson for me was the intentionality she took in taking on her own happiness; it wasn’t anything she wrote but what she demonstrated in the act of writing it.Wow, this review did not end up short after all.

Having only read one other book by Jane Porter, reviewed here, I thought one of her non-series books would be interesting to read… well, and, I found a copy of Flirting with Forty for $1 at a book store up in Indy. It’s funny this is my second review of this author, since she is relatively new to me (I know not to others, I’m late in the game) but I think it is a sign I’ll be a follower of hers, for sure.

I would rate this book about the same on an official scale as The Good Daughter… but this one also resonated more with me. I think I am a little younger and a little more rough-around-the-edges than the reader demographic she was probably writing to, but I felt connected with Jackie and her search for something more, as well as her ability to take a risk. Those risks are worth it.

And no, I did not know that this was made into a Lifetime Movie a few years ago. At least, not until I Googled it just now. Huh.

Did I say some of these books were old? Yes, I mean a few years over a decade ago. Like, I was in high school and not a Senior when it was first published. How did I not read it until now? Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing is one of those books my Mom left on my kitchen counter after a visit, and I’m glad she did.

If you are someone who likes an breezy Chic Lit beach read but also a witty, subtle work with characters who are absolutely authentic… well, this is that perfect combination. The humor is something special, and the character reminded me of aspects of the women in my life who I love. Complex, funny, intriguing, flawed… Jane is a constantly evolving character, and while the timeline feels a bit choppy and threw me off at times, it was great.

Let me start off by saying that I have not seen the movie (just the previews for it). I Don’t Know How She Does It is not a recent publication (2002) but the concept is one most mothers I know would deem still quite relevant. Ultimately, this book was a tug-of-war for me between commiseration/understanding and vague discomfort with the portrayal of supporting characters. Being a Mom can be tough, and as one that works outside the home I found it refreshing to laugh at the awkward moments (i.e. lice on a business trip) and the bonds Kate Reddy formed with other women… always with humor. The frustration shown towards stay-at-home mothers and Kate’s husband feels real, and understandable… but also exaggerated and disdainful. As someone with a husband who is a true partner (and for whom I am grateful) and friends from every walk of motherhood, I couldn’t fully connect.

Ultimately, the humor Kate Reddy relies on is something I can totally understand.

Well, that’s a wrap. I will confess that I have a phobia of motion-picture tie-in covers on books. I just can’t stand buying them. I do have some exceptions to this… usually when the book is like a buck at a store and after a quick cost/benefit analysis the price makes me get over it quickly.

Anyone else avoiding motion-picture tie in covers? Reading books screened by their Mom for disturbing bits… but obviously reading them anyway? Picking up $1 books from the early aughts?

PS: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own, and I have not received compensation for anything written. Links to products on Amazon may be affiliate links. Keepin’ it real.

How about some tasty little bites of book reviews? In the past, I’ve reviewed books excessively in-depth. Then, life got crazy and the books piled up. Literally. See below.

I just can’t skip reviewing these books, so thought I would try my hand at being concise and thoughtful. It would be a first, for me. So, here we go!

The Immortal Life of Henriette Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

On the list of favorite things I have ever read, this makes the cut. The Immortal Life of Henriette Lacks is an enthralling read about ethics, race, economic class, and just a great example of meaningful research. Who can read this book and not finish feeling a deep caring for the Lacks family, a broader perspective of the medical industry, and a bit of an author-crush on Rebecca Skloot? I had to check her bio several times to confirm that it was, in fact, her first book. Anyone who has ever had a question and a nagging instinct to follow up on it, will understand the basis for this research. Rebecca has made more tremendous strides in our current-day conversation on race than one person usually does; and all without coming across as self-righteous or judgmental. I find this book, and Ms. Skloot, a bit inspirational. I would love to get coffee with her.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Yes, I know reviews of this book have been done to death. I had seen the Julia Roberts movie replayed on cable, of course, but hadn’t actually read the book yet. I found it for $1 at a book sale, and figured it was worth reading just to have an opinion about it. Honestly, Eat Pray Love is a good book. Overplayed in the media, yes, but good. It was interesting to see what was different in the book, and it is well-written. Elizabeth seems authentic, likeable, and while a little daring, also a little but of a regular person. It does make you feel like you could also change your life if you only were willing to take the leap. I dare you not to be Googling Bali vacations as soon as you put the book down.

Dune Road: A Novel by Jane Green

I am a long-time reader of Ms. Green, and imagine I will continue reading her books until either she stops making them, or I lose my eye-sight. There are a lot of authors like that, for me. Not only do I enjoy their work, but after reading so many of their books they have a comfortable, distant, but familiar presence in my life… kind of like that cousin of yours, who you love, but lives really far away so you never see? You know what I mean. In any case, Dune Road was alright. I enjoyed sitting down with a cup of coffee and observing as Kit’s life evolved. The most enjoyable storyline centered on Kit’s relationships and their ever-changing nature, particularly with her ex-husband and her sister. If you have never read Jane Green before, I would point you to a few of her previous novels to get started. Personally, I found The Beach House, Second Chance, and Babyville: A Novel more engaging. Jane Green is an author who is easy to feeling connected with, and I believe will remain a staple of the Chick Lit bookshelves. Seriously, read The Beach House on your next day off – you won’t regret it.

It’s kinda like: The other books by Jane Green listed above, Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner, or Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter (Why do all their names start with Js? Conspiracy theory, anyone?)

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is also a classic-factory within the Chick Lit genre, and a current back-hone of it I’m sure. With bestsellers being made into major feature films (such is the case with Something Borrowed), her books are certainly popular and worth reading. Where We Belong is a good book, particularly suitable for a beach read on vacation, as that easy but enjoyable read while you’re on a long flight, or a relaxed weekend. However, I think that (similar to the Jane Green review above) I would recommend other books by the author ahead of this one. It just didn’t resonate the same way with me. Ms. Giffin’s step in a different direction, exploring different topics and relationships, was what was most enjoyable.

As usual, these are just my own humble opinions based on my reading experiences. Anyone else read the above, and have a differing opinion? Crushing on Rebecca Skloot? Want to add a few recommendations to my reading list?

Happy weekend, everyone!

PS: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own, and I have not received compensation for anything written. Keepin’ it real.

Out of all the genres, comedic memoirs seem to be bursting at the seams shelves in bookstores these days…. and thank goodness. These are books that can inspire, uplift, and provide joy for many people. They can also be train-wrecks that make you feel much better about yourself. Either way.

While there may not be as many of these books out there as Harlequin romance novels, there are still quite a few. The covers aren’t as sexy, but let’s read them anyway. Here are just a few of my favorite sources for awkward laughs, unfortunate circumstances, and shopping tips (in the case of Kaling).

Anything by Laurie Notaro is funny. And a little messed up. She has also written a ton of other books that are also worthy of your time. The titles alone suck me in. Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of a Pretend Adulthoodhad me bust out laughing in an airport once, and I’m pretty sure security tailed me for awhile.

A refreshing, laugh-out-loud, awkward story of a girl that may feel familiar, but also relatable. You may recall my obsessive ramble extensive review, earlier this year. Mindy is the little sister you wish you had, the best friend you find exhausting but can’t help but love, and the daring career woman you want to be inspired by. I’m also a little hooked on The Mindy Project, no lie.

If you don’t read The Bloggess (Jenny Lawson’s blog, and the launch for her book) you should. Just google “beyonce the chicken” and clear your schedule for a few hours. Okay, I’ll fess up; I haven’t read her book yet. I’m on a tight budget, and honestly it is so new I still can’t afford to buy it. If someone wants to be my secret admirer and send me a copy, feel free. I do stalk read her blog regularly, though… and her posts are enough to land her on my comedic memoir fav list.

A Midwestern shout-out and a hilarious memoir. In all seriousness, you will take stock of your own dependence on technology and materialism. Then you will go back to laughing. Real, funny… I can’t wait to read more by Wade Rouse.

… or a million hilarious SNL sketches. No list of comedic memoirs would be complete with Bossypants. A comedic goddess, she needs no introduction by me. Every bestseller by a female comedian for the rest of this decade will say “the next Tina Fey”. She is what every woman I know wants to be when they grow up.

The King of funny biographies, anything by this man is worth buying immediately and reading. Everyone I know has a collection of David Sedaris books, and brings up “the time they saw him speak in person” at every social gathering. It isn’t even obnoxious; he is just so funny. I think he invented this genre, since contributing a wealth of books including Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, and more. His sister is also one of the coolest people alive. If the United States turns into a monarchy, we could do worse than the Sedaris royal family.

Funny and intriguing. Sloane is just a smidgen younger than most comedic memoir authors, which adds a refreshing and slightly edgier quality to her writing. Even more intriguing is reading some of the critical feedback in response to some wondering how truthful the memoir is. If it makes you laugh, does it matter?

Sarah Thyre brings back every the feelings and emotional responses of every shameful, weird, and awkward moment you’re trying to forget from your youth. Dark at the Roots gets real, and doesn’t pretend those moments didn’t happen. Cringe-worthy and yet endearing, it’s worth reading.

Alright, what else should I be reading? Any really serious omissions to my list? Should I jump on the Chelsea Handler band-wagon, or can someone make me way more cool by cluing me into an up-and-coming fresh new author? Attracted security at an airport due to your social awkwardness? I’m sure it’s not just me…

PS: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own, and I have not received compensation for anything written. Keepin’ it real.

Romantic, comfortable, and full of hope; The Good Daughter is a solid read and provides both the ease and escape of classic Chick Lit with the thoughtfulness and intrigue of more serious contemporary fiction. Focused on strong, independent, and yet wistful Kit Brennan, Jane Porter’s novel takes on the female experience as it transitions into a more mature stage in life and highlights the passion that can coexist with building on life experiences.

It is easy to root for Kit, as she makes significant discoveries about herself. The important balance between taking ownership of your own life experience and working within the confines of society or family expectations; the often leaping difference between what is best for us and what is perceived as best for us by our loved ones; the sacrifices an individual is capable of making willingly and selflessly, for those we care for.

While not quite as compelling or subtle as many books I’m drawn to, it can hold its own. The Good Daughter climbs itself out of the realm of stereotypical “chick lit beach books” by hitting some serious and sensitively-handled notes. Reminiscent of Jennifer Wiener in “Little Earthquakes” it deals with real, practical struggles and experiences of women in modern society. Kit finds passion when she is ready for it, not necessary when she plans to. She is able to realign herself with her own life as she prioritizes her needs and realizes the importance of taking risks. Tragedy often creates an atmosphere of growth, and this novel demonstrates that quite nicely.

This work has a somewhat classic pattern for the genre. While the struggles were handled gracefully and with authenticity, it was also reminiscent of more mass-produced romance novels. This isn’t a coincidence as the author writes those also… and you know, there is nothing wrong with that. No judging here. However, if you’re put off by the tidy, happy endings a la Bridget Jones’s Diary… this might not be the best fit for you.

I have not read the rest of the series (this is the second of three and all about the sisters of the family) but imagine I will. The Good Daughter was a pleasant, interesting story with descriptive character interactions and a comfortable rhythm to the narrative.

Want to scratch a similar itch? Here are some other books I’ve read and think relate: